Zorua sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Zoroark as fast as possible. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. Been around since Gen 5.
Zorua's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Atk leads, HP trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 1 Sp. Atk EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Zorua is a timid Pokémon. This disposition seems to be what led to the development of Zorua’s ability to take on the forms of other creatures.
Zorua sometimes transforms into a person and goes into cities to search for food. When Zorua does this, it usually takes on the form of a child.
Zorua Weakness
AvgType-wise, Zorua takes extra damage from Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
Zorua evolves into Zoroark. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Zorua with 138 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Copycat, Counter, Detect and 3 more to offspring.
Nothing fancy here. Zorua builds around Berryjuice for extra utility, Naive nature for the right stat lean, and a spread EV build EVs. Illusion does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Zorua Moveset
- Counter
- Knock Off
- Burning Jealousy
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Hard to wall, honestly. Zorua threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Flying standing out. Pair that with Foul Play and Night Daze and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Zorua starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
You can catch Zorua through 4 walking encounters from Lv. 10-18, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Zorua isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Zoroark to unlock its full potential. At 330 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Zorua can evolve into Zoroark and Hisuian Zoroark depending on the method. Zorua is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Illusion is the go-to ability for Zorua. It takes the appearance of the last conscious party Pokémon upon being sent out until hit by a damaging move. It's Zorua's only ability.
Zorua fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 65 Attack. At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Zorua appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Zorua first appeared in Black & White and spans 9 games across 5 generations. It later gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A